| ve definite ideas about ADD and the place for people | | | | You were probably constantly asking questions. When |
| in the world who have it. We think they're lucky! | | | | you were growing up and asked, “Why does it |
| They're generally intelligent, creative, and dynamic. But | | | | work this way?” or “Why is this |
| ADD does present certain limitations. | | | | happening this way?” or “Why do we |
| Our thoughts on that go like this: | | | | have to do it this way?” was your answer |
| People with ADD think so fast and move so fast that | | | | always, “Because, that’s the way it |
| a lot of people can’t understand us. | | | | is,”? |
| We’re a minority of the population. The majority | | | | You were probably bored. |
| of the population has such a step-by-step, | | | | Boredom is an issue for all ADD people. But there's |
| linear-thinking approach, and what is exciting to a | | | | something you can do, if you have something really |
| person like that is so slow and the exact opposite for | | | | important to read or do that's boring you to tears. |
| us. | | | | Learn the cue. What ADD behavior do you exhibit |
| The first thing is just to be aware that we get bored | | | | when you're bored? Do you shake your foot? Get up |
| really easily. What is exciting to those of us with ADD | | | | and start moving around? Move directly on to |
| is so different than what is exciting to a linear thinker. If | | | | something else, and something else, and something |
| you have ADD, know that you’re going to get | | | | else, and nothing gets done? When those things |
| bored. And when that happens, you’re probably | | | | happen, recognize when the "bored" action kicks in. |
| exhibiting an ADD symptom like jumping from one thing | | | | Time your endurance. |
| to the next. | | | | Then, set a timer that's just a minute or two shy of |
| Do you say to yourself, "I should be able to sit down | | | | that. Set the timer, do the boring thing, and when the |
| and fill out the application," or "I should be able to take a | | | | timer sounds, stop! Later, or another day, you can do |
| test,"? | | | | the same thing all over again. That way, you'll never |
| We force ourselves into trying to do these boring | | | | reach the point of boredom, and it won't be so hard |
| things, because we were told that we should. In most | | | | getting back into the boring thing the next time. Plus, |
| cases, by really boring people—people who | | | | eventually, you'll get it done. These ADD-friendly |
| couldn’t brainstorm their way out of a | | | | systems are very important, and can help you |
| cardboard box. | | | | succeed where others fail. |